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SEIA is the solar energy industry’s go-to source for the latest coverage on solar power, including U.S. and international policy, research and polls, business and financing trends, and more. Our staff strives to support the media covering solar energy issues and guide our members on effective media outreach with clear statements, background materials, news and multimedia resources.

SEIA is committed to informing policymakers, the media, and the American public about the benefits of solar energy for today’s communities, our economy, and our country.

Every week, The SEIA Solar Update includes top news stories covering the solar industry, major upcoming events, policy updates, and much more. This newsletter is open to SEIA Members and to the general public.

With yet another multi-billion-dollar acquisition in the works, SunEdison isn't just strengthening its position as one of the world's top renewable energy developers -- it is on a mission to become one of the largest energy companies in any sector.

In a key decision that will make clean energy more affordable and accessible to even more people across the state, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced new rules allowing for community net metering (CNM). The PSC’s innovative Shared Renewables Program, which will be launched later this year, is expected to especially benefit low and moderate-income families in New York.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited ("Yingli" or "Yingli Solar"), one of the world's leading solar panel manufacturers, today announced that it is one of the first PV manufacturers to develop a framed utility-scale solar panel designed for a maximum system voltage of 1500 Volts (V).

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New York’s aggressive efforts to expand its clean energy economy are continuing to produce impressive results, with the state ranking third in the nation in new solar capacity during the first quarter of 2015. New York trailed only California and Nevada in Q1, according to the recently released U.S. Solar Market Insight Report compiled by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Continuing its strong growth from 2014, Nevada ranked second in the nation in new solar capacity added in the first quarter of this year, according to the recently-released U.S. Solar Market Insight Report compiled by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

California has become the first state in the nation to top 10,000 megawatts (MW) of installed solar capacity, according to the latest U.S. Solar Market Insight Report, which was just released by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Today, California has more solar assets than most nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Australia and Belgium.

As part of its annual awards ceremony in Miami Beach, marketing and communications industry leader PR News announced the winners and honorable mentions for its prestigious 2015 Social Media Icon Awards for companies, agencies and organizations which “broke the mold in social media communications.”

In an effort to lead by example and further educate residential solar consumers across America, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is launching the first SEIA Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power.

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Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited ("Yingli" or "Yingli Solar"), one of the world's leading solar panel manufacturers, today announced that it is one of the first PV manufacturers to develop a framed utility-scale solar panel designed for a maximum system voltage of 1500 Volts (V).

Two solar financing startups backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers - Kilowatt Financial and Clean Power Finance - said on Wednesday they will combine to create a larger company that will offer loans, leases and other products to help U.S. consumers go solar.

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When it comes to meeting the United States’ future carbon reduction goals, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz says solar energy is “critical” to these plans.

Secretary Moniz offered that acknowledgment as part of his keynote address this week in Las Vegas at Solar Power International (SPI), the largest solar trade show in America, co-sponsored by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Boosted by our exploding popularity on Facebook, SEIA’s social media efforts have been ranked #1 in the nation among trade associations with up to 100 employees, according to the 2014 Social Media Report published by Association Trends, a division of Columbia Books, Inc. SEIA was also ranked #2 nationally when compared to all other energy trade associations, coming in just behind the American Petroleum Institute (API).

In a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind study released today, America’s K-12 schools have shown explosive growth in their use of solar energy over the last decade, soaring from 303 kilowatts (kW) of installed capacity to 457,000 kW, while reducing carbon emissions by 442,799 metric tons annually – the equivalent of saving 50 million gallons of gasoline a year or taking nearly 100,000 cars off U.S. highways.

This was a huge week for fans of clean energy. First, Telsa Motors announced that it would build a new factory in Nevada, employing 6,500 workers. Then Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vowed to hold a vote later this year on green energy tax credits. That important announcement was quickly followed by news that the U.S. solar market hit a major milestone in the second quarter of this year with more than half a million homes and businesses now generating solar energy.

With less than a month to go, the first Solar Power Mid-Atlantic, a new regional event highlighting the strong solar industry in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware, is quickly gaining momentum.

As the old proverb goes, “you can’t have your cake and eat it, too.” But convincing some people of that isn't easy.

In hopes of ending the long-running and costly U.S.-China solar trade dispute, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has urged SolarWorld Americas, LLC to step forward and offer a specific proposal that could serve as the basis for discussions and eventually lead to a negotiated settlement.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “half the truth is often a great lie.” Keep that in mind when you read a recent report prepared for our friends at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) about Germany’s experience with renewable energy, including solar power.

Here’s the gist of the argument made by the energy consulting firm, Finadvice: Germany’s wholesale markets are suffering from “disequilibrium” because of increased consumer costs. The 86-page report is pretty much a hatchet job on renewables. “In conclusion, the lessons learned in Europe prove that the large-scale integration of renewable power does not provide net savings to consumers, but rather a net increase in costs to consumers and other stakeholders,” according to the report.

Really? That’s the problem with half-truths. Not surprisingly, there’s no mention of the enormous societal costs of the damaging pollution which is caused by burning fossil fuels and undeniably driving climate change.

So what’s the other side of the story – the one utilities fail to mention? In response to that question, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released a comprehensive study taking an in-depth look at Germany’s solar support programs and how the United States can benefit in the long term from the experiences of the world’s leading solar producer.

When it comes to clean energy and sustainability, solar looks to be a shoo-in one day for the “green” Hall of Fame. Today, more and more sports teams, sports leagues and sports organizations are embracing the advantages of solar energy.